Air cleaner

ABSTRACT

An air cleaner is provided that may include a main body having at least one cylindrical filter and at least one filter frame that forms a mounting space for the at least one filter; and a cylindrical case coupled to an outside of the main body, the cylindrical case having at least one suction inlet through which air is suctioned toward the at least one filter, so that air may be suctioned in 360-degree directions. If the cylindrical case is opened, the at least one filter may be extracted to the outside in a radial direction from the mounting space, thereby facilitating attachment/detachment of the at least one filter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Applications of prior U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/623,781 filed Jun. 15, 2017, which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application Nos.10-2016-0074360, filed in Korea on Jun. 15, 2016 and 10-2017-0036711,filed in Korea on Mar. 23, 2017, which are hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

An air cleaner is disclosed herein.

2. Background

An air cleaner is a device that supplies and purifies contaminated airand then discharges purified air. For example, the air cleaner mayinclude a blower which introduces outside air into an inside of the aircleaner and a filter which is capable of filtering dust, and bacteria,for example, in air.

Generally, the air cleaner is configured to purify an indoor space, suchas a home or an office. According to the related art air cleaner, thereis a problem that a capacity thereof is limited, and thus, purificationof air in an entire indoor space is limited. Accordingly, air around theair cleaner is capable of being purified whereas air in a space which isaway from the air cleaner is not easily purified.

In order to solve this problem, there are efforts to improve aperformance of a fan provided in the air cleaner. However, noise whichis generated by the fan gradually increases as a blowing amount of thefan increases. Accordingly, there is a problem that a reliability of theproduct is decreased. Also, there is inconvenience in that the aircleaner has to be moved by a user in order to purify air in a desiredspace.

With regard to the related art air cleaner, the present applicantdisclosed and published, Korean Publication No. KR10-2012-0071992(hereinafter referred to as “prior art document”), published on Jul. 3,2012 and entitled “AIR CLEANER”, which is hereby incorporated byreference. According to the prior art document, air cleaning components,such as the fan and a filter inside of a case having a substantiallyrectangular parallelepiped shape, are installed in a main body of theair cleaner. Air suction ports are formed on or at a side portion and alower portion of the main body of the air cleaner and an air dischargeport is formed on or at an upper portion of the main body thereof.

According to this configuration, there is a problem in that a suctioncapacity becomes smaller as contaminated air is suctioned from a limiteddirection, that is, from a sideways direction and a downward directionrelative to the air cleaner. A corner portion of the case having arectangular parallelepiped shape acts as a structural resistanceinterfering with the suction of air.

In addition, there is a problem in that an air cleaning function islimited as the purified air does not flow to a space which is away fromthe air cleaner, whereas air around the air cleaner is capable of beingpurified as the air which is purified in the inside portion of the aircleaner is discharged only in one direction, that is, only in an upwarddirection. Further, there is a problem in that a blowing capacity islimited as only one blowing fan is provided in the main body of the aircleaner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the followingdrawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outer appearance of an aircleaner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the air cleaner according toan embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a state in which a case is separated froma main body of an air cleaning module according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a supporting structure of thecase according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a coupling structure of the case and afirst main body according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state in which the case is separatedfrom the first main body and a first filter is extracted;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view, taken along line VII-VII′ of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a first blower according to anembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a partial configuration of the air cleaneraccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a dividing plate and aconfiguration coupled to the dividing plate according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the dividing plateand the configuration coupled to the dividing plate according to anembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view, taken along line XII-XII′ of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a filter and a filter frameaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating an arrangement of the filterframe, the filter, and the case according to an embodiment; and

FIGS. 15 to 17 are views illustrating a state in which air flows in theair cleaner according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to theillustrative drawings. Regarding the reference numerals assigned to thecomponents in the drawings, it should be noted that the same componentsmay be designated by the same reference numerals, wherever possible,even though they are shown in different drawings. Also, in thedescription of embodiments, specific description of known relatedconfiguration or functions may be omitted when it is deemed that suchdescription may cause ambiguous interpretation of the presentdisclosure.

Also, in the description of embodiments, terms such as first, second, A,B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when describing components.Each of these terminologies is not used to define an essence, order orsequence of a corresponding component but used merely to distinguish thecorresponding component from other component(s). In a case where it isdescribed that any component is “connected” or “coupled” to anothercomponent, the component may be directly or indirectly connected orcoupled to another component. However, it is to be understood thatanother component may be “connected” or “coupled” between thecomponents.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outer appearance of an aircleaner according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspectiveview of the air cleaner according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the air cleaner 10 according to anembodiment may include blowing devices or blowers 100 and 200 thatgenerate air flow and an air flow control device or controller 300 whichchanges a discharge direction of the air flow generated in the blowers100 and 200. The blowers 100 and 200 may include a first blowing deviceor blower 100 that generates a first air flow and a second blowingdevice or blower 200 that generates a second air flow.

The first blower 100 and the second blower 200 may be disposed in avertical direction. For example, the second blower 200 may be disposedon or at an upper side of the first blower 100. In this case, the firstair flow may form a flow of indoor air suctioned in or at a lower sideof the air cleaner 10 and the second air flow may form a flow of indoorair suctioned in or at an upper side of the air cleaner 10.

The first blower 100 and the second blower 200 may be referred to as a“first air cleaning module” or “first air cleaner” and a “second aircleaning module” or “second air cleaner”, respectively, in that thefirst blower 100 and the second blower 200 perform a function ofcleaning the air in a cleaning space. The first blower 100 may bereferred to as “lower air cleaning module” or “lower module” in that thefirst blower 100 may be disposed or provided on or at a lower portion ofthe air cleaner 10 and the second blower 200 may be referred to as“upper air cleaning module” or “upper module” in that the second blower200 may be disposed or provided on or at an upper portion of the aircleaner 10. The air flow controller 300 may be referred to as an “airflow control module 300”.

The air cleaner 10 may include cases 101 and 201 which form an outerappearance thereof. The cases 101 and 201 may include a first case 101which forms an outer appearance of the first blower 100. The first case101 may be understood as a part that covers a first main body portion orbody 100 a (see FIG. 3 ) of the first blower 100. In other words, thefirst blower 100 may include the first main body 100 a and the firstcase 101 which covers the main body portion 100 a. For example, thefirst main body 100 a may include a first filter member or filter 120, afirst filter frame 130, a first fan 160, a first fan housing 150, firstand second air guide devices or guides 170 and 180, for example, whichwill be described hereinafter.

The first case 101 may have a cylindrical shape. An upper portion of thefirst case 101 may have a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of alower portion thereof. That is, the first case 101 may have a truncatedcone shape.

The first case 101 may include two parts 101 a and 101 b that form thefirst case 101. The two parts 101 a and 101 b may include a first part101 a and a second part 101 b. The first and second part 101 a and 101 bmay have a same shape.

The first case 101 may further include a separation portion 101 c bywhich the first and second parts 101 a and 101 b may be assembly ordisassembled. The separation portion 101 c may form side end portions orends of the first part 101 a or side end portions or ends of the secondpart 101 b. The first and second parts 101 a and 101 b may be supportedby a suction grill 110, which will be described hereinafter, to becoupled to each other.

The first part 101 a or the second part 101 b may be separated from eachother in a radial direction of the air cleaner 10, and accordingly, thefirst case 101 may be opened. When the first case 101 is opened, thefirst main body 100 a of the first blower 100 may be replaced orrepaired.

The first case 101 may include a first suction portion or inlet 102through which air may be suctioned in the radial direction thereof. Thefirst suction inlet 102 may include a through hole which may be formedto pass through at least a portion of the first case 101. A plurality offirst suction inlets 102 may be provided. The first suction inlet 102may be formed at each of the first and second parts 101 a and 101 b.

The plurality of first suction inlets 102 may be evenly spaced in acircumferential direction along an outer circumferential surface of thefirst case 101 so that air suctioning may be performed in any directionrelative to the first case 101. That is, air may be suctioned in360-degree directions relative to a center line in the verticaldirection which passes through an inside center of the first case 101.

Accordingly, a suctioned amount of air may be increased by the firstcase 101 having a cylindrical shape and the plurality of first suctioninlets 102 being formed along the outer circumferential surface of thefirst case 101. A flow resistance to suctioned air may be reduced byavoiding a cube shape having edge portions or edges such as the case ofthe related art air cleaner.

Among the plurality of through holes, a size of a through hole formed ina lower part or portion of the first suction inlet 102 (hereinafter,referred to as a “lower through hole”) may be formed larger than a sizeof a through hole formed at an upper part or portion of the firstsuction inlet 102 (hereinafter, referred to as an “upper through hole”).As the first fan 160 may be disposed or provided at the upper portion ofthe first suction inlet 102, the size of the lower through hole locatedrelatively distant from the first fan 160 may be relatively increased,so that suctioned of air may be smoothly performed through the pluralityof through holes.

Air which is suctioned through the first suction inlet 102 may flowsubstantially in the radial direction from the outer circumferentialsurface of the first case 101. Directions will be defined. Relative tothe FIG. 1 , the vertical direction may refer to an axial direction anda transverse direction may refer to the radial direction. The axialdirection may correspond to a central axial direction of the first fan160 and a second fan 260, which is described hereinafter, that is, amotor shaft direction of the fan. The radial direction may be understoodas a direction which is perpendicular to the axial direction. Acircumferential direction may refer to a virtual circle direction, whichis formed by rotating about the axial direction and having a distance inthe radial direction as a rotational radius.

The first blower 100 may include a base 20 which may be provided in orat a lower side of the first case 101 and placed on the ground. The base20 may be spaced apart from a lower end portion or end of the first case101 in a downward direction. A base suction portion or inlet 103 may beformed in a separation space between the first case 101 and the base 20.

Air which is suctioned through the base suction inlet 103 may flow in anupward direction through a suction portion or inlet 112 of the suctiongrill 110 (see FIG. 2 ), which may be provided in or at an upper side ofthe base 20. In other words, the first blower 100 may include aplurality of suction inlets 102 and 103. Air existing in a lower portionof an indoor space may be easily introduced into the first blower 100through the plurality of suction inlets 102 and 103. Accordingly, thesuctioned amount of air may be increased.

A first discharge portion or outlet 105 may be formed on or at an upperportion of the first blower 100. The first discharge outlet 105 may beformed on a first discharge grill 195 of a first discharge guide deviceor guide 190 (see, FIG. 10 ), which may be provided in the first blower100. The first discharge guide 190 may form an outer appearance of anupper end portion or end of the first blower 100. Air which isdischarged through the first discharge outlet 105 may flow to an upperside in the axial direction.

The cases 101 and 201 may include a second case 201 which forms an outerappearance of the second blower 200. The second case 201 may beunderstood as a part that covers a main body portion or body of thesecond blower 200. In other words, the second blower 200 may include thesecond case 201. For example, the main body may include a second filtermember or filter 220, a second filter frame 230, a second fan 260, asecond fan housing 250, a third air guide device or guide 270, and asecond discharge guide device or guide 280, for example, which will bedescribed hereinafter.

The second case 201 may have a cylindrical shape. In addition, an upperpart or portion of the second case 201 may be configured to have adiameter smaller than a diameter of a lower part or portion of thesecond case 201. That is, the second case 201 may have a truncated coneshape.

The second case 201 may include two parts 201 a and 201 b that form thesecond case 201. The two parts 201 a and 201 b may include a first part201 a and a second part 201 b. The first and second parts 201 a and 201b may have a same shape.

The second case 201 may further include a separation portion 201 c bywhich the first and second parts 201 a and 201 b may be assembled ordisassembled. The separation portion 201 c may form side end portions orends of the first part 201 a or side end portions or ends of the secondpart 201 b. The first and second parts 201 a and 201 b may be supportedby a lever supporting device or support 560 to be coupled to each other.

The first part 201 a or the second part 201 b may be separated from eachother in the radial direction of the air cleaner 10, and accordingly,the second case 201 may be opened. When the second case 201 is opened, asecond main body portion or body of the second blower 200 may bereplaced or repaired.

The diameter of the lower end portion or end of the second case 201 maybe formed to be smaller than the diameter of the upper end portion orend of the first case 101. Accordingly, in a general shape of the cases101 and 201, a lower cross-sectional area of the cases 101 and 102 maybe formed to be greater than an upper cross-sectional area. Accordingly,the air cleaner 10 may be stably supported on the ground.

The second case 201 may include a second suction portion or inlet 202through which air may be suctioned. The second suction inlet 202 mayinclude a through hole which may pass through at least a portion of thesecond case 201. A plurality of second suction inlets 202 may beprovided. The second suction inlet 202 may be formed at each of thefirst and second parts 201 a and 201 b.

The plurality of second suction inlets 202 may be evenly spaced in thecircumferential direction along an outer circumferential surface of thesecond case 201 so that air suctioning may be performed in any directionrelative to the second case 201. In other words, air may be suctioned in360-degree directions relative to a center line in the verticaldirection which passes through an inside center of the second case 201.

Accordingly, a suctioned amount of air may be increased by the secondcase 201 having a cylindrical shape and the plurality of second suctioninlets 202 being formed along the outer circumferential surface of thesecond case 201. A flow resistance to suctioned air may be reduced byavoiding a cube shape having edge portions or edges such as the case ofthe related art air cleaner.

Among the plurality of through holes, a size of a through hole formed ata lower part or portion of the second suction inlet 202 (hereinafter,referred to as a “lower through hole”) may be formed larger than a sizeof a through hole formed at an upper part or portion of the secondsuction inlet 202 (hereinafter, referred to as an “upper through hole”).As the second fan 260 may be disposed or provided at the upper portionof the second suction inlet 202, the size of the lower through holelocated relatively distant from the second fan 260 may be relativelyincreased, so that suctioning of air may be smoothly performed throughthe plurality of through holes. Air which is suctioned in through thesecond suction inlet 202 may flow substantially in the radial directionfrom the outer circumferential surface of the second case 201.

Any one of the two parts that form the first case 101 or the second case201 may have a semi-cylindrical shape or a semi-cone shape, that is, ashape corresponding to ½ of a truncated cone shape. If two parts havingthe shape are coupled to each other, the first case 101 or the secondcase 201 having a cylindrical shape of a cone shape, that is, atruncated cone shape, may be configured.

The air cleaner 10 may include a dividing device or divider 400 whichmay be provided between the first blower 100 and the second blower 200.The divider 400 may include a dividing plate 430 that separates orblocks air flow generated in the first blower 100 and air flow generatedin the second blower 200. By the dividing plate 430, the first andsecond blower 100 and 200 may be disposed to be spaced apart from eachother in the vertical direction.

The air flow controller 300 may be installed or provided on or at anupper side of the second blower 200. An air flow path of the secondblower 100 may communicate with an air flow path of the air flowcontroller 300. The air passing through the second blower 100 may bedischarged through a second discharge portion or outlet 305 to theoutside via the air flow path of the air flow controller 300. The seconddischarge outlet 305 may be formed on or at an upper end portion or endof the air flow controller 300.

The air flow controller 300 may be movable. The air flow controller 300may be positioned in a laid-out state (first position), as illustratedin FIG. 1 , or in an inclinedly erected state (second position), asillustrated in FIG. 17 .

In addition, a display device or display 600 that displays operationinformation of the air cleaner 10 may be provided at an upper portion ofthe air flow controller 300. The display 600 may be movable togetherwith the air flow controller 300.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a state in which a case is separated froma main body of an air cleaning module according to an embodiment. FIG. 4is a sectional view illustrating a supporting structure of the caseaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a couplingstructure of the case and a first main body according to an embodiment.FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state in which the case is separatedfrom the first main body and a first filter is extracted.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6 , the case 101 or 201 according to anembodiment may include a supporting device or support and a main bodycoupling device. The support may be provided at the lower portion of thecase 101 or 201, and the main body coupling device may be provided atthe upper portion of the case 101 or 201. FIGS. 3 to 6 illustrate asupport and a main body coupling device of the first case 101, and thesedevices may be identically applied to the second case 201.

The first case 101 may be separated from the first main body 100 a asthe upper portion of the first case 101 is opened (or rotated) outwardsin a state in which the lower portion of the first case 101 issupported. The first case 101 may include the first part 101 a and thesecond part 101 b, which cover both sides of the first main body 100 aof the first blower 100.

Each of the first part 101 a and the second part 101 b may be separablycoupled to the first main body 100 a. A configuration in which the firstpart 101 a is supported and coupled to the first main body 100 a may beidentical to a configuration in which the second part 101 b is supportedand coupled to the first main body 100 a. Therefore, hereinafter, thefirst part 101 a will be mainly described.

The first part 101 a may include a supporting device or supportsupported by the suction grill 110. The support may include a supportprojection 104 provided at the first part 101 a and may be coupled to agrill insertion portion 116 of the suction grill 110. The supportprojection 104 may be located at the lower portion of the first part 101a and protrude from an inner circumferential surface of the first part101 a.

The support projection 104 may include a first projection extensionportion or extension 104 a that extends in the radial direction from theinner circumferential surface of the first part 101 a and a secondprojection extension portion or extension 104 b that extends downwardlyfrom the first projection extension 104 a. According to theconfiguration of the first and second projection extensions 104 a and104 b, the support projection 104 may have a shape that protrudes fromthe inner circumferential surface of the first part 101 a and is thenbent downwardly.

The grill insertion portion 116 may be formed as at least one portion ofa rim portion or rim 111 a of the suction grill 110 and may verticallypass therethrough. Also, the grill insertion portion 116 may be disposedor provided at the suction inlet 112 of the suction grill 110. Thesuction inlet 112 may include a plurality of suction holes 112 a, andthe grill insertion portion 116 may be formed between the plurality ofsuction holes 112 a. For example, a size of the grill insertion portion116 may be formed larger than a size of each suction hole 112 a, and thegrill insertion portion 116 may be configured to have a size to anextent where the support projection 104 is inserted into the grillinsertion portion 116.

A plurality of the support projection 104 may be provided. The pluralityof support projections 104 may be disposed or provided at the innercircumferential surface of the first part 101 a to be spaced apart fromeach other, and may be arranged in the circumferential direction. As theplurality of support projections 104 are provided, the first part 101 amay be stably supported by the suction grill 110. The suction grill 110may be referred to as a “case support portion” or “case support” in thatthe first case 101 may be supported by the suction grill 110.

The first filter 120 may be disposed or provided inside of the firstcase 101. In other words, the first and second part 101 a and 101 b maysurround the first filter 120. Therefore, if the first case 101 isseparated from the first main body 100 a of the first blower 100, thefilter 120 may be in a state in which it may be extracted to theoutside.

The first filter 120 may include a plurality of filter portions 121 and125. The plurality of filter portions 121 and 125 include a first filterportion 121 and a second filter portion 125. The second filter portion125 may be inserted into the first filter portion 121. In addition, eachof the first and second filter portions 121 and 125 may have a hollowcylindrical shape.

The first filter portion 121 may be understood as a “foreign substanceremoving filter” that filters fine dust or microorganisms, such asviruses, in the air. For example, the first filter portion 121 mayinclude a HEPA filter. In addition, the second filter portion 125 mayinclude a “deodorizing filter” that filters odor particles in the air.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the first case 101 according to an embodiment mayinclude a main body coupling device coupled to the first main body 100 aof the first blower 100. The main body coupling device may include ametal piece 109. For example, the metal piece 109 may include steelcoupled to a magnet. Also, the metal piece 109 may be provided at theupper portion of the first case 101.

The metal piece 109 may be disposed or provided at the innercircumferential surface of the first part 101 a. A plurality of themetal piece 109 may be provided, and the plurality of metal pieces 109may be arranged in the circumferential direction to be spaced apart fromeach other. For example, the plurality of metal pieces 109 may include afirst metal piece 109 a, a second metal piece 109 b, and a third metalpiece 109 c.

A magnet member or magnet 50 coupled to the metal piece 109 may beprovided at an outer circumferential surface of the first main body 100a. The magnet 50 may be disposed or provided at an upper part or portionof the first main body 100 a. For example, the magnet 50 may be providedat an outer circumferential surface of the second air guide 180.

A plurality of the magnet 50 may be provided, and the plurality ofmagnets 50 may be arranged in the circumferential direction to be spacedapart from each other. For example, the plurality of magnets 50 mayinclude a first magnet 50 a coupled to the first metal piece 109 a, asecond magnet 50 b coupled to the second metal piece 109 b, and a thirdmagnet (not shown) coupled to the third metal piece 109 c. As describedabove, the plurality of metal pieces 109 and the plurality of magnets 50may be coupled to each other, so that the first case 201 may be stablycoupled to the first main body 100 a of the first blower 100.

Another embodiment will be discussed hereinafter. In the above-describedembodiment, it has been described that the metal piece disposed orprovided at the first case 101 and the magnet disposed or provided atthe first main body 100 a interact with each other. Alternatively, themagnet disposed or provided at the first case 101 and the metal piecedisposed or provided at the first main body 100 a may interact with eachother.

Attachment/detachment of the first case 101 and attachment/detachment ofthe first filter 120 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 6. In a state in which the first case 101 is coupled to the outside ofthe first main body 100 a, the lower portion of the first case 101 issupported at an upper side of the suction grill 110. That is, thesupport projection 104 of the first case 101 is in a state in which itis inserted into the grill insertion portion 116 of the suction grill110. In addition, the metal piece 109 provided at the upper portion ofthe first case 101 is in a state in which it is coupled to the magnet 50of the first main body 100 a by a magnetic force of the magnet 50.According to the above-described configuration, the first case 101 maybe stably coupled to the first main body 100 a.

In order to expose the first filter 120 to the outside, the first case101 may be separated from the first main body 100 a. First, as shown inFIG. 3 , the first case 101 may be rotated by pulling the upper portionof the first case 101 so as to release the coupling between the metalpiece 109 and the magnet 50 (direction A). At this time, the lowerportion of the first case 101 is maintained in a state in which it issupported by the suction grill 110, and accordingly, a user may easilyseparate the metal piece 109 and the magnet 50 from each other withoutmuch effort.

If the upper portion of the first case 101 is spaced apart from theupper portion of the first main body 100 a, the user upwardly lifts thefirst case 101 such that the support projection 104 is separated fromthe grill insertion portion 116 (direction B). In such a manner, if thefirst case 101 is separated from the first main body 100 a, the firstfilter 120 is exposed to the outside, and is located at a position atwhich the first filter 120 is to be separated from the first filterframe 130 (see FIG. 8 ). The user may separate the first filter 120 fromthe first blower 100 by grasping the first filter 120 and then pullingthe first filter 120 to the outside in the radial direction (directionC).

According to above-described operations of the first case 101 and thefirst filter 120, opening of the first blower 100 andattachment/detachment of the first filter 120 may be easily performed.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view, taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 1 . FIG. 8is an exploded perspective view of a first blower according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , the first blower 100 according to anembodiment may include the base 20 and the suction grill 110 disposed orprovided at an upper side of the base 20. The base 20 may include a basemain body 21 placed on a ground and a base protrusion portion orprotrusion 22 that protrudes upwardly from the base main body 21 toallow the suction grill 110 to be placed thereon. The base protrusionportion 22 may be provided at each of both sides of the base 20.

The base main body 21 and the suction grill 110 may be spaced apart fromeach other by the base protrusion 22. The base suction inlet 103 whichforms a suction space for air may be formed between the base 20 and thesuction grill 110.

The suction grill 110 may include a grill main body 111 having asubstantially ring shape and the rim 111 a that protrudes upwardly froman outer circumferential surface of the grill main body 111. Accordingto the configuration of the grill main body 111 and the rim 111 a, thesuction grill 110 may have a stepped structure.

The suction grill 110 may include the suction inlet 112 formed at therim 111 a. The suction inlet 112 may protrude upwardly along acircumference of the rim 111 a, and be configured to extend in thecircumferential direction. In addition, the plurality of suction holes112 a may be formed inside of the suction inlet 112. The plurality ofsuction holes 112 a may communicate with the base suction inlet 103.

Air suctioned through the plurality of suction holes 112 a and the basesuction inlet 103 may pass through the first filter 120. The firstfilter 120 may be formed in a cylindrical shape, and have a filtersurface that filters air. The air passing through the plurality ofsuction holes 112 a may be introduced into the first filter 120 bypassing through an outer circumferential surface of the first filter120.

The suction grill 110 may further include a movement guide portion orguide 113 that protrudes upwardly from an upper surface of the grillmain body 111 to guide upward or downward movement of the first filter120. The movement guide 113 may have a shape that gradually protrudes inthe circumferential direction from the upper surface of the grill mainbody 111. That is, the movement guide 113 may have an inclined surfacethat protrudes in the circumferential direction.

A plurality of the movement guide 113 may be provided spaced apart fromeach other in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown inFIG. 8 , four movement guides 113 may be provided. However, the numberof movement guides 113 is not limited thereto.

The grill main body 111 may further include a groove portion or groove114 that provides a space in which a second handle 144, which will bedescribed hereinafter, may be movable. The groove 114 may form at leasta portion of the grill main body 111, and may be understood as an inletat which the suction inlet 112 is not formed in the rim portion 111 a ofthe grill main body 111.

The first blower 100 may include a lever device or lever 142 which maybe provided at an upper side of the suction grill 110 and be manipulatedby a user. The lever 142 may be rotatable in the circumferentialdirection.

The lever device 142 may include a lever main body 143 which may have asubstantially ring shape and be rotatable. In addition, a plurality ofcut-out portions or cutouts 145 respectively disposed or provided atpositions corresponding to the plurality of movement guides 113 may beformed in the lever main body 143. The plurality of cut-outs 145 may beunderstood as through holes formed in the lever main body 143.

The plurality of cut-outs 145 may be spaced apart from each other, to bearranged in the circumferential direction of the lever main body 143. Inaddition, each cut-out 145 may be formed rounded to have a predeterminedcurvature in the circumferential direction, corresponding to a curvatureof an outer circumferential surface of the lever main body 143.

The lever 142 may be supported by the upper surface of the grill mainbody 111. If the lever 142 is supported by the grill main body 111, theplurality of movement guides 113 may be inserted into the plurality ofcut-outs 145, respectively. The plurality of movement guides 113 mayprotrude to upper sides of the plurality of cut-outs 145 by passingthrough the plurality of cut-outs 145, respectively. The second handle144 may be provided at the outer circumferential surface of the levermain body 143.

A supporting device or support 140 that supports the first filter 120may be provided at an upper side of the lever 142. The support 140 mayinclude a first handle 141 coupled to the second handle 144. The usermay rotate the lever main body 143 and the support 140 clockwise orcounterclockwise by grasping the first and second handles 141 and 144.

The lever 142 may support a lower surface of the support 140. Thesupport 140 may be provided with a support protrusion portion (notshown), which may be in contact with the movement guide 113. The supportprotrusion may protrude downwardly from the lower surface of the support140, and be provided at a position corresponding to the movement guide113. In addition, a shape of the support protrusion may correspond to ashape of the movement guide 113, and include an inclined surface thatgradually protrudes in the circumferential direction.

A direction in which the movement guide 113 gradually protrudes and adirection in which the support protrusion gradually protrudes may beopposite to each other. For example, if the direction in which themovement guide 113 gradually protrudes is a counterclockwise direction,the direction in which the support protrusion gradually protrudes may bea clockwise direction.

The lever 142 and the support 140 may be rotated together. In thisrotation process, the movement guide 113 and the support protrusion mayinterfere with each other. If a lower part or portion of the supportprotrusion is in contact with an upper part or portion of the movementguide 113, the lever 142, and the support 140 may be moved upwardly. Inaddition, the first filter 120 supported by the support 140 is in astate in which the first filter 120 is coupled to the first blower 100while moving upwardly.

On the other hand, if an upper part or portion of the support protrusionis in contact with a lower part or portion of the movement guide 113 orif interference between the support protrusion and the movement guide113 is released, the lever 142 and the support 140 may be moveddownwardly. In addition, the first filter 120 supported by the support140 is in a state in which the first filter 120 is separable(releasable) from the first blower 100.

The first filter 120 may have a cylindrical shape having an open upperpart or portion. The first filter 120 may include a filter main body(first and second filter portions) 121 and 125 having a cylindricalfilter portion an inside of which may be empty and a filter hole 122formed to be opened at an upper end part or portion of the filter mainbody 121 and 125.

A filter grasping portion or grasp 120 a may be provided at an upperpart or portion or lower part or portion of the filter main body 121 and125. Air may be introduced into the filter main body 121 and 125 throughan outer circumferential surface of the filter main body 121 and 125,and be discharged from the first filter 120 through the filter hole 122.The filter main body 121 and 125 may include the first filter portion121 and the second filter portion 125 inserted into the first filterportion 121.

The first blower 100 may further include the first filter frame 130which may form a mounting space for the first filter 120. The firstfilter frame 130 may include a first frame 131 which forms a lower partor portion of the first filter frame 130 and a second frame 132 whichforms an upper part or portion of the first filter frame 130.

The first frame 131 may include a frame recessed portion or recess 131 ahaving a shape which is recessed downwardly. The frame recess 131 a maybe configured such that at least a portion of the first frame 131 isrecessed. The frame recess 131 a may be formed at a positioncorresponding to the groove 114 of the suction grill 110. The groove 114and the frame recess 131 a may provide a space at or in which the firstand second handles 141 and 144 may be movable.

In addition, a holding portion 131 b coupled to a holding projection ofthe first case 101 may be formed at the first frame 131. The holdingportion 131 b may be formed at an outside of a first filter supportingportion or support 135.

The second frame 132 may be upwardly spaced apart from the first frame131. The second frame 132 may have a substantially ring shape. Aring-shaped internal space of the second frame 132 may form at least aportion of an air flow path that passes through the first filter frame130. In addition, an upper part or portion of the second frame 132 maysupport the first fan housing 150, which will be described hereinafter.

The first filter frame 130 may further include the first filter support135, which may upwardly extend toward the second frame 132 from thefirst frame 131. The first and second frames 131 and 132 may be spacedapart from each other by the first filter support 135. A plurality ofthe first filter support 135 may be provided, and the plurality of firstfilter supports 135 may be arranged in the circumferential direction tobe connected to rims of the first and second frames 131 and 132. Themounting space of the first filter 120 may be defined by the first andsecond frames 131 and 132 and the plurality of first filter supports135.

A sensor device or sensor 137 may be installed or provided at the firstfilter frame 130. The sensor 137 may include a dust sensor that sensesan amount of dust in the air and a gas sensor that senses an amount ofgas in the air. The dust sensor and the gas sensor may be supported bythe second frame 132 of the first filter frame 130.

The first filter 120 may be separably mounted in the mounting space. Thefirst filter 120 may have a cylindrical shape, and air may be introducedinto the first filter 120 through the outer circumferential surface ofthe first filter 120. Impurities, such as dust, in the air may befiltered while the air is passing through the first filter 120.

As the first filter 120 has a cylindrical shape, air may be introducedinto the first filter 120 in any direction, based on the first filter120. Thus, a filtering area of air may be increased.

The mounting space may be formed in a cylindrical shape, correspondingto a shape of the first filter 120. In a mounting process of the firstfilter 120, the first filter 120 may be slidingly inserted in the radialdirection. In contrast, in a separation process of the first filter 120,the first filter 120 may be slidingly extracted to the outside in theradial direction from the mounting space.

In other words, if the first and second handles 141 and 144 aremanipulated in a state in which the first filter 120 is placed on anupper surface of the support 140, the first filter 120 may be located ata released position while moving downwardly. Also, the first filter 120may be slid to the outside in the radial direction, to be separated fromthe mounting space.

On the other hand, in the state in which the first filter 120 isseparated from the mounting space, the first filter 120 may be slid tothe inside in the radial direction toward the mounting space to besupported by the upper surface of the support 140, and be upwardlyadhered closely by the first and second handles 141 and 144. At thistime, the first filter 120 may be located at a coupling position in thefirst blower 100. A first support cover 136 may be coupled to theoutside of the first filter support 135.

The first blower 100 may further include the first fan housing 150installed or provided at an exit side of the first filter 120. A housingspace portion or space 152 having the first fan 160 accommodated thereinmay be formed in the first fan housing 150. The first fan housing 150may be supported by the first filter frame 130.

A first fan introducing portion 151 that guides air to be introducedinto the first fan housing 150 may be formed at a lower part or portionof the first fan housing 150. A grill may be provided in or at the firstfan introducing portion 151, to prevent a finger, for example, of a userfrom being inserted inside the first fan housing 150 when the firstfilter 150 is separated.

The first blower 100 may further include an ionizer 158 that removes orsterilizes smell particles or odors in the air. The ionizer 158 may becoupled to the first fan housing 150 and be capable of acting on the airwhich flows into an inside portion of the first fan housing 150.

The sensor 137 and the ionizer 158 may also be installed or provided inthe second blower 200, which is described hereinafter. For example, thesensor 137 and the ionizer 158 may be installed or provided in one ofthe first blower 100 or the second blower 200.

The first fan 160 may be placed or located on or at an upper side of thefirst fan introducing portion 151, and may be accommodated in thehousing space 152 of the first fan housing 150. For example, the firstfan 160 may include a centrifugal fan which introduces air in the axialdirection and discharges the air to an upper side in the radialdirection.

The first blower 100 may further include the first air guide 170 whichguides a flow of air which passes through the first fan 160 by beingcoupled to an upper side of the first fan 160. The air guide 170 mayinclude an outside wall 171 having a cylindrical shape, and an insidewall 172 which is positioned at an inside of the outside wall 171 andhas a cylindrical shape. The outside wall 171 may surround the insidewall 172. A first air flow path through which air may flow may be formedbetween an inner circumferential surface of the outside wall 171 and anouter circumferential surface of the inside wall 172.

The first air guide 170 may include a guide rib 175 which may bedisposed or provided in the first air flow path. The guide rib 175 mayextend from the outer circumferential surface of the inside wall 172 tothe inner circumferential surface of the outside wall 171. A pluralityof guide ribs 175 may be spaced apart from each other. The plurality ofguide ribs 175 may perform a function of guiding the air introduced tothe first air flow path of the first air guide 170 via the first fan 160in the upward direction.

The first air guide 170 may further include a motor accommodatingportion 173 which extends from the inside wall 172 to a lower side andthus accommodates a first fan motor 165. The motor accommodating portion173 may have a bowl shape a diameter of which may be gradually reducedin a downward direction.

The first fan motor 165 may be supported to or at an upper side of themotor accommodating portion 173. A rotational shaft 165 a of the firstfan motor 165 may extend from the first fan motor 165 in the downwarddirection and be coupled to a shaft coupling portion 161 a of the hub161 through the lower surface portion of the motor accommodating portion173.

In addition, a motor coupling portion 166 may be provided on or at anupper side of the first fan motor 165. The motor coupling portion 166may guide the first fan motor 165 to be fixed to the air guide 170.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a partial configuration of the air cleaneraccording to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating adividing plate and a configuration coupled to the dividing plateaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective viewillustrating the dividing plate and the configuration coupled to thedividing plate according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a sectional view,taken along line XII-XII of FIG. 11 .

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12 , the first blower 100 according to anembodiment may further include the second air guide 180 which may becoupled to an upper side of the air guide 170 and guide air which haspassed through the first air guide 170 to the first discharge guide 190.

The second air guide 180 may include a first guide wall 181 which has asubstantially cylindrical shape, and a second guide wall 182 which ispositioned inside of the first guide wall 181 and has a substantiallycylindrical shape. The first guide wall 181 may surround the secondguide wall 182.

A second air flow path 185 may be formed, through which an air flow maybe formed between an inner circumferential surface of the first guidewall 181 and an outer circumferential surface of the second guide wall182. Air which flows along a first air flow path 172 a of the first airguide 170 may flow in the upward direction through the second air flowpath 185. The second air flow path 185 may be referred to as a“discharge flow path.” In addition, the first discharge outlet 105 maybe disposed or provided on or at an upper side of the second air flow185.

A fastening guide 183, which may be coupled with the first air guide170, may be provided on or at a lower portion of the second guide wall182. The fastening guide 183 may extend to a lower side of the secondguide wall 182.

A predetermined fastening member may be coupled to the fastening guide183 and the fastening member may be coupled to a fastening rib 178 ofthe first air guide 170. The fastening rib 178 may project from an uppersurface of the motor accommodating portion 173 in the upward direction.In addition, a plurality of the fastening guide 183 may be provided, andthe plurality of fastening guides 183 may be spaced apart from eachother in the circumferential direction. For example, three fasteningguides 183 and three fastening ribs 178 may be provided.

The second air guide 180 may further include a wall supporting portionor support 187 which extends from the inner circumferential surface ofthe first guide wall 181 to the outer circumferential surface of thesecond guide wall 182. By the wall support 187, the first and secondguide walls 181 and 182 may be stably coupled to each other. A pluralityof wall supports 187 may be provided to be spaced apart from each otherin the circumferential direction. For example, the plurality of wallsupports 187 may include four wall supports 187 that extend in fourdirections; however, embodiments are not limited thereto. In addition,the first discharge guide 190 may be supported on the plurality of wallsupports 187.

A first space portion or space 184 in which at least a portion of a PCBdevice or PCB 500 may be accommodated may be formed in or at an insideof the second guide wall 182 having a cylindrical shape.

The second air guide 180 may further include a second coupling portion188 which may be provided at an inner circumferential surface of thesecond guide wall 182 to be coupled to the dividing plate 430. Thedividing plate 430 may include a first coupling portion 449 a coupled tothe second coupling portion 188.

A plurality of the second coupling portion 188 may be provided, and theplurality of second coupling portions 188 may be spaced apart from eachother in the circumferential direction. For example, three secondcoupling portions 188 and three first coupling portions 449 a may beprovided; however, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The second air guide 180 may further include a bending portion 186 whichmay be bent outwards from an outer circumferential surface of the secondair guide 180. The bending portion 186 may extend outward from an upperpart or portion of the first guide wall 181. The bending portion 186 mayform a rim part or rim of the second air guide 180, and form anoutermost part or portion of the second air guide 180.

The bending portion 186 may extend to the outside in the radialdirection from an upper end of the first guide wall 181 and be bentdownwardly. For example, the bending portion 186 may have asubstantially “¬” shape or eave shape.

The bending portion 186 may include a first extension portion orextension 186 a which may extend to the outside in the radial directionfrom the first guide wall 181 and a second extension portion orextension 186 b which may extend downwardly from the first extension 186a. The first extension 186 a may be understood as a portion thatsupports a rim of the first discharge guide 190, that is, a bendingsupporting portion or support 197, and the second extension 186 b may beunderstood as a portion that supports an inner surface of the first case101.

The first blower 100 may further include the first discharge guide 190,which may be disposed or provided on or at the upper side of the secondair guide 180, that is, an outlet side of air flow passing through thesecond air guide 180 relative to the air flow and guide the airdischarge to the outside portion of the air cleaner 10. That is, thesecond air guide 180 may be disposed or provided at a suction side ofthe first discharge guide 190.

The first discharge guide 190 may include a first discharge main body191 which forms a second space portion or space 194 at a substantiallycentral portion. The first discharge main body 191 may include a mainbody outer wall 191 a which forms an outer circumferential surfacethereof and a main body inner wall 191 b which forms an innercircumferential surface thereof. The main body outer wall 191 a maysurround the main body inner wall 191 b. By the configuration of themain body outer wall 191 a and the main body inner wall 191 b, the firstdischarge main body 191 may have an annular shape.

The second space 194 may be formed on or at an inside of the main bodyinner wall 191 b. At least a portion of the PCB 500 may be accommodatedin the second space 194. The second space 194 may be formed on or at anupper side of the first space 184, and the first space 184 and thesecond space 194 may form an installation space portion or space inwhich the PCB 500 may be installed or provided.

The first discharge main body 191 may include the first discharge grill195. The first discharge grill 195 may extend to the outside in theradial direction toward the main body outer wall 191 a from the mainbody inner wall 191 b.

In addition, a plurality of the first discharge grill 195 may beprovided, and the first discharge outlet 105, through which air may bedischarged to the outside, may be formed between the plurality of firstdischarge grills 195. The plurality of first discharge grills 195 may bedisposed or provided on or at an upper side of the second air flow path185, and air passing through the second air flow path 185 may bedischarged through the first discharge outlet 105 while flowing towardthe first discharge grill 195. An air flow path formed from the secondair flow path 185 to the first discharge outlet 105 may be referred toas a “discharge flow path.”

The second blower 200 may include a supporting device or support thatsupports a lower portion of the second filter 220 and a lever devicewhich may be provided on or at a lower side of the support. The supportand the lever may have a same configuration as the support 140 and thelever 142, which may be provided in the first blower 100, and therefore,a description regarding the support and the lever may be the same as thedescription of the support 140 and the lever 142.

The second blower 200 may further include a lever supporting device orsupport 560 that supports the second filter 220 or the lever of thesecond blower 200. The lever support 560 may have a substantiallyannular shape. The lever support 560 may include a third space portionor space 564 that defines an installation space in which the PCB 500 maybe located or provided. The third space 564 may be formed at asubstantially center portion of the lever support 560 by passing throughthe lever support 560 in the vertical direction.

The lever support 560 may include a lever support main body 561, whichmay have an annular shape. The lever support main body 561 may extendtoward an outer circumferential surface from an inner circumferentialsurface thereof to be slightly inclined in the upward direction relativeto the axial direction. That is, the surface forming the lever supportmain body 561 may form an inclined surface. A space between the inclinedsurface and the upper surface of the dividing plate 430, which isdescribed hereinafter, provides a space portion or space in which auser's hand may be located or inserted.

The lever support main body 561 may be referred to as a “blockingportion” in that air which is discharged through the first dischargeoutlet 105 of the first blower 100 may be blocked from being introducedinto the second blower 200.

The lever support 560 may further include a movement guide portion orguide 565 that protrudes from the lever support main body 561 in theupward direction. The movement guide 565 may have a same configurationas the movement guide 113 of the first blower 100, and therefore, adetail description may be the same as the description regarding themovement guide 113. For convenience of description, the movement guide113 may be referred to as a “first movement guide,” and the movementguide 565 may be referred to as a “second movement guide.”

The lever support 560 may further include a support projection 566 thatprotrudes from an inner circumferential surface of the lever supportmain body 561 in the upward direction. The support projection 566 maysupport the lever of the second blower 200.

The divider 400 may include the dividing plate 430 which separates orblocks an air flow generated from the first blower 100 and an air flowgenerated from the second blower 200. By the dividing plate 430, thefirst and second blowers 100 and 200 may be spaced apart from each otherin the vertical direction. The dividing plate 430 may be disposed orprovided between the first case 101 and the second case 201.

The air discharged from the first discharge outlet 105 may be guided bythe dividing plate 430 to flow outside of the air cleaner 10.Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the air from being introduced tothe second blower 200.

The dividing plate 430 may include a first plate 440 and a second plate450 coupled to the first plate 440. The second plate 450 may be providedon or at an upper side of the first plate 440. In addition, the firstplate 440 may extend to be rounded in the upward direction, and thesecond plate 450 may extend to be rounded in the downward direction.

The first plate 440 may include a plate inner wall 441 which has asubstantially annular shape and a plate outer wall 443 which maysurround the plate inner wall 441. A fourth space portion or space 449that passes through the first plate 440 in the vertical direction may beformed at a center portion or center of the plate inner wall 441. Thefourth space 449 may provide an installation space in which at least aportion of the PCB 500 may be located or provided.

The plate outer wall 443 may extend to the outside in the radialdirection from the plate inner wall 441. In addition, the first plate440 may further include a recessed portion or recess 442 which defines aspace between the plate inner wall 441 and the plate outer wall 443. Therecess 442 may be recessed downwardly from a space between an upper endpart or portion of the plate inner wall 441 and an upper end part orportion of the plate outer wall 443.

The first plate 440 may further include the first coupling portion 449 awhich may be coupled to the second air guide 180. The first couplingportion 449 a may be provided on or at an inner circumferential surfaceof the plate inner wall 441. In addition, the first coupling portion 449a may be coupled to the second coupling portion 188 of the second airguide 180. The second coupling portion 188 may be provided on an innercircumferential surface of the second guide wall 182.

The second plate 450 may include a second plate main body 451 which hasa substantially annular shape. The second plate 450 may further includea plate mounting portion or mount 455 which may protrude to the insidein the radial direction from an inner circumferential surface of thesecond plate main body 451. The plate mount 455 may be depressed in thedownward direction from an upper end portion or end of the second platemain body 451, and support the lever support 560.

A fifth space portion or space 459 may be formed at a center portion orcenter of the plate mount 455. The fifth space portion 459 provides aninstallation space in which at least a portion of the PCB 500 may belocated or provided. The fifth space 459 may be aligned on or at a lowerside of the fourth space 564. The first to fifth spaces 184, 194, 564,449, and 459 may be aligned in the vertical direction, to provide aninstallation space for the PCB 500.

The second plate main body 451 may extend at an incline toward theoutside in the radial direction. The second plate main body 451 mayinclude an inclined surface 453 which extends at an incline in thedownward direction toward the outer circumferential surface from theinner circumferential surface of the second plate main body 451. Forexample, the inclined surface 453 may have a round surface which extendsto be rounded.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a filter and a filter frameaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating anarrangement of the filter frame, the filter, and the case according toan embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 13 to 14 , the first filter frame 130 according to anembodiment may further include lower frame 131 that forms a lowerportion of the first filter frame 130, upper frame 132 which forms anupper portion of the first filter frame 130, and first filter support135 which extends in the upward direction toward the upper frame 132from the lower frame 131. A plurality of the first filter support 135may be provided. The first filter support 135 may be referred to as a“support frame” in that the first filter support 135 supports an outersurface of the first filter 120.

A mounting space 130 a in which the first filter 120 may be located orprovided may be formed by the lower and upper frames 131 and 132 and theplurality of first filter supports 135. The mounting space 130 a mayhave a cylindrical shape corresponding to a shape of the first filter120.

The lower frame 131 may have a ring shape to surround the lower portionof the first filter 120. The lower frame 131 may include frame cut-out131 a which has a shape formed by cutting out at least a portion of thelower frame 131. The frame cut-out 131 a forms a space in which thehandle 144 of the lever 142 may be located, and may be formed to have asize corresponding to a rotational path of the handle 144. In otherwords, the frame cut-out 131 a may provide a space in which the handle144 may be movable.

The upper frame 132 may have a ring shape to surround an upper portionof the first filter 120, and may be located to be spaced apart from thelower frame 131 in the upward direction. In addition, the ring-shapeinner portion space of the upper frame 132 may form a frame openingportion or opening 132 a. The frame opening 132 a may communicate withthe filter hole 122 of the first filter 120.

The upper frame 132 may include frame inner wall 133 and frame outerwall 134 which surrounds the frame inner wall 133. Each of the frameinner wall 133 and the frame outer wall 134 may have a ring shape. Inaddition, the frame opening 132 a may be understood as an inside spaceof the frame inner wall 133.

An inner circumferential surface of the frame outer wall 134 may bespaced apart from an outer circumferential surface of the frame innerwall 133. The upper frame 132 may include a wall connecting portion 134a which extends to a lower portion of the frame inner wall 133 from alower portion of the frame outer wall 134.

The upper frame 132 may include a housing mounting portion or mount 133a which protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the frameinner wall 133 to support the first fan housing 150. An inside space ofthe housing mount 133 a may form the frame opening 132 a.

The plurality of first filter supports 135 may be arrayed in thecircumferential direction along the rim of the lower and upper frames131 and 132, to support the outer circumferential surface of the firstfilter 120. For example, the plurality of first filter supports 135 maybe disposed or provided at a rear portion of the first filter frame 130.In addition, an insertion portion 130 b, which provides a space into orfrom which the first filter 120 may be inserted or withdrawn, may beformed at a front portion of the first filter frame 130.

Directions will be defined. The direction in which the first filter 120is withdrawn may be defined as a “front” of the first filter frame 130,and the direction in which the first filter 120 is inserted may bedefined as a “rear” of the first filter frame 130. The frame cut-out 131a may be formed at a front portion or front of the lower frame 131,relative to a shape of the lower frame 131.

In other words, the insertion portion 130 b may be formed in a spacewhich is formed at the front of the first filter frame 130 in a spacebetween two first filter supports 135 among the plurality of firstfilter supports 135. The two first filter supports 135 may include firstframes 135 a and 135 b. The first frames 135 a and 135 b may be disposedopposite to each other.

Second frames 135 c and 135 d may be disposed or provided in thecircumferential direction in a space which is formed at the rear of thefirst filter frame 130 in a space between the first frames 135 a and 135b. A plurality of second frames 135 c and 135 d may be provided.

An insertion portion 130 b from or into which the first filter 120 maybe withdrawn or inserted may be formed in a front space in the spacebetween the two first frames 135 a and 135 b, and the second frames 135c and 135 d may be disposed in a rear space.

When considering a supporting force of the first filter frame 130, asupporting force of the front portion of the first filter frame 130, atwhich the insertion portion 130 b is formed, may be smaller than asupporting force of the rear portion at which the second frames 135 cand 135 d are disposed or provided. In this embodiment, the first frames135 a and 135 b may be formed larger than the second frames 135 c and135 d so as to reinforce the supporting force of the front portion,which is relatively small.

A length L1 in the circumferential direction of the first frames 135 aand 135 b may be longer than a length L2 in the circumferentialdirection of the second frames 135 c and 135 d. According to thisconfiguration, the supporting force of the first frames 135 a and 135 bmay be greater than the supporting force of the second frames 135 c and135 d. Thus, it is possible to reinforce a supporting force which may beinsufficient as no separate frame is provided at the front portion ofthe first filter frame 130.

The first case 101 may surround the first filter 120. In addition, thefirst case 101 may be provided at the outside of the first filter frame130. That is, the first case 101 may surround the lower frame 131, theupper frame 132, and the first filter support 135.

If the first case 101 is separated, that is, if the first and secondparts 101 a and 101 b of the first case 101 are separated from eachother, the first filter 120 and the first filter frame 130 may beexposed to the outside. In addition, the first filter 120 may beseparated to the outside in the radial direction through the insertionportion 130 b, or be mounted in the mounting space 130 a by moving tothe inside in the radial direction through the insertion portion 130 b.

If the first fan 160 is driven, air may be suctioned in the radialdirection through the first suction inlet 102 of the first case 101, andflow into the first filter 120 supported by the first filter frame 130.According to the above-described configuration, air may be suctioned inthe circumferential direction of the air cleaner 10, that is, 360-degreedirections, so that the suction capacity of the air cleaner 10 may beincreased. In addition, the plurality of first filter supports 135spaced apart from each other are provided at the first filter frame 130,so that it is possible to prevent the plurality of first filter supports135 from interfering with the flow of suctioned air.

FIG. 13 illustrates a state in which the first filter member 120 isseparated. In this state, the handle 144 of the lever 142 may be locatedat a released position of the first filter 120, that is, one end portionor end of the frame cut-out 131 a. At this time, the position of thehandle 144 may be referred to as a “first position” or “releasedposition.”

When the handle 144 is located at the first position, the support is ina state in which it is moved in the downward direction. Thus, themounting space 130 a forms a space sufficiently large enough for thefirst filter 120 to be inserted.

In the state of FIG. 13 , the first filter 120 may be mounted in themounting space 130 a by being moved to the rear through the insertionportion 130 b. In addition, the support 140 may be moved in the upwarddirection by rotating the handle 144 in one direction. For example, thehandle 144 may be rotated in the clockwise direction, relative to FIG.13 .

If the support 140 is moved in the upward direction, the first filter120 may be adhered closely to the upper portion of the first filterframe 130, that is, the upper frame 132 by being moved in the upwarddirection. Thus, the first filter 120 may be located at a couplingposition.

The support 140 may be moved in the downward direction by rotating thehandle 144 in the opposite direction in the state in which the firstfilter 120 is mounted in the mounting space 130 a. For example, thehandle 144 may be rotated in the counterclockwise direction, relative toFIG. 13 . If the support 140 is moved in the downward direction, thefirst filter 120 may be located at a position at which it is separablefrom the mounting space 130 a.

A configuration of the second blower 200 will be described withreference to FIGS. 2 and 7 .

The second blower 200 may include a lever and a support, which areprovided on the upper side of the lever support 560. The configurationof the lever and the support may be similar to the configuration of thelever 142 and the support 140 of the first blower 100, and therefore, adescription regarding the lever and the support may be the same as thedescription regarding the first blower 100.

The second blower 200 may further include a third air guide device orguide 270 which may be coupled to an upper side of the second fan 260 toguide flow of air passing through the second fan 260. The configurationof the third air guide 270 may be similar to the configuration of thefirst air guide 170, and therefore, a detail description may be the sameas the description regarding the first air guide 170.

The third air guide 270 may include a guide device or guide that guidesmovement of the air flow controller 300. The guide may include a firstrack and a shaft guide groove.

The second blower 200 may include a second discharge guide device orguide 280, which may be disposed or provided on or at an upper side ofthe third air guide 270 and guide the flow of air passing through thethird air guide 270.

The air flow controller 300 may be movably provided on or at the upperside of the second discharge guide 280. The air flow controller 300 mayinclude a third fan 330. The third fan 330 may guide air passing throughthe third air guide 270 to be discharged outside of the air cleaner 10.A third fan motor 335 may be coupled to the third fan 330.

The third fan 330 may include an axial flow fan. The third fan 330 maybe operated to allow air introduced in the axial direction by passingthrough the third air guide 270 to be discharged in the axial direction.The air passing through the third fan 330 may be discharged to theoutside through the second discharge outlet 305, which may be located onor at an upper side of the third fan 330. In the air cleaner 10, adischarged blowing amount may be improved, and air may be discharged invarious directions as the second discharge outlet 305 along with thefirst discharge outlet 105 of the first blower 100 is provided.

The display 600 which displays operation information of the air cleaner10 may be provided on or at the upper surface of the air cleaner 10. Thedisplay 600 may include a display PCB 618. The display PCB 618 may beinstalled or provided in a space between the upper surface of the aircleaner 10 and the third fan 330.

The first fan motor 165 and the second fan motor 265 may be disposed orprovided in series relative to a longitudinal direction of the aircleaner 10. In addition, the second fan motor 265 and the third fanmotor 335 may be disposed or provided in series relative to thelongitudinal direction of the air cleaner 10. That is, the first tothird fan motors 165, 265, and 365 may be located on or along a sameaxial line.

The air flow controller 300 may further include a rotational guidedevice or guide that guides rotation in a lateral direction of the airflow controller 300 and rotation in the vertical direction of the airflow controller 300. The rotation in the lateral direction may bereferred to as “first direction rotation” and the rotation in thevertical direction may be referred to as “second direction rotation.”

The rotational guide may include a first guide mechanism or guide thatguides the first direction rotation of the air flow controller 300 and asecond guide mechanism or guide that guides the second directionrotation of the air flow controller 300. The first guide may include afirst gear motor 363 that generates a drive force and a first gear 360which is rotatably coupled to the first gear motor 363. For example, thefirst gear motor 363 may include a step motor a rotation angle of whichmay be easily controlled.

The second guide may include a rotation guide member or guide 370 (seeFIG. 16 ) that guides the second direction rotation of the air flowcontroller 300. The rotation guide 370 may include a rack 374.

The second guide may include a second gear motor 367 that generates adrive force and a second gear 365 which is coupled to the second gearmotor 367. For example, the second gear motor 367 may include a stepmotor. If the second gear motor 367 is driven, the rotation guide 370 isrotated in the vertical direction by linkage of the second gear 365 andthe second rack 374. Accordingly, the air flow controller 300 performsthe second direction rotation according to a movement of the rotationguide 370.

If the air flow controller 300 performs the second direction rotation,the air flow controller 300 may be in a “second position” in which itprotrudes from the upper surface of the air cleaner 10 (see FIG. 17 ).On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16 , a position in which the airflow controller 300 is laid out may be referred to as a “firstposition.”

FIGS. 15 to 17 are views illustrating a state in which air flows in theair cleaner according to an embodiment. The flow of air according to theembodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17 .

First, the flow of air according to driving of the first blower 100 willbe described. If the first fan 160 is driven, indoor air is suctionedinto the first case 101 through the first suction inlet 102 and the basesuction inlet 103. The suctioned air passes through the first filter120, and foreign materials in the air may be filtered in this process.In the process in which the air passes through the first filter 120, theair is suctioned in the radial direction of the first filter 120, isfiltered, and then flows in the upward direction.

The air which has passed through the first filter 120 flows to the upperside in the radial direction while passing through the first fan 160 andstable flows in the upward direction while passing through the first airguide 170 and the second air guide 180. Air passing through the firstair guide 170 and the second air guide 180 passes by the first dischargeguide 190 and flows in the upward direction through the first dischargeoutlet 105. Air which is discharged through the first discharge outlet105 is guided by the dividing plate 430 which is positioned at the upperside of the first discharge guide 190, and thus, is discharged to theoutside of the air cleaner 10.

In the second fan 260 is driven, indoor air is suctioned into the secondcase 201 through the second suction inlet 202 and the base suction inlet103. The suctioned air passes through the second filter 220, and foreignmaterials in the air may be filtered in this process. In a process inwhich the air passes through the second filter 220, the air is suctionedin the radial direction of the second filter 220, is filtered, and thenflows in the upward direction.

Air which has passed through the second filter 220 flows to the upperside in the radial direction while passing through the second fan 160,and stably flows in the upward direction while passing through the thirdair guide 270 and the second discharge guide 280. Air which has passedthrough the third air guide 270 and the second discharge guide 280 maybe discharged through the second discharge outlet 305 via the air flowcontroller 300.

At this time, if the air flow controller 300 is in the first position inwhich the air flow controller 300 is laid out, as shown in FIGS. 15 and16 , air which is discharged from the air flow controller 300 flows inthe upward direction. On the other hand, if the air flow controller 300is in the second position in which the air flowing controller 300 iserected, as shown in FIG. 17 , air which is discharged from the air flowcontroller 300 may flow toward the front upper side. By the air flowcontroller 300, an amount of air which is discharged from the aircleaner 10 may be increased, and purified air may be supplied to aposition far away from the air cleaner 10.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air cleaner which is capable ofimproving a suction capacity of air which is suctioned into the aircleaner. Embodiments disclosed herein also provide an air cleaner thatmay include an air suction flow path formed in the radial directiontoward the inside of the air cleaner from the circumferential directionof the air cleaner and a suction flow path through which air may beintroduced into the air cleaner through upper and lower portions of theair cleaner, so that air around a person in a room may be sufficientlysuctioned whether the person in the room is sitting down or standing up.

Embodiments disclosed herein further provide an air cleaner whichenables air discharged therefrom to be discharged in various directionsand reach or extend a long distance. More particularly, embodimentsdisclosed herein provide an air cleaner in which a discharged aircurrent may be easily generated toward upper, front, left, and right orlateral directions about the air cleaner, so that air may be easilydischarged toward a peripheral space of a person whether the person in aroom sitting down or standing up.

Embodiments disclosed herein additionally provide an air cleaner whichenables cases forming an outer appearance of the air cleaner to beeasily assembled or disassembled. Embodiments disclosed herein providean air cleaner a blowing capacity of which may be increased.

Embodiments disclosed herein also provide an air cleaner which improvesa purification capacity of a filter and in which replacement of thefilter may be easily performed. In particular, embodiments disclosedherein provide an air cleaner which includes a filter which may beeasily detachable from an inside of a cylindrical case.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air cleaner which includes afilter that facilitates suction of air in the radial direction and acase that shields the filter. Embodiments disclosed herein provide anair cleaner which enables a filter to be easily installed withoutseparately providing an installation space for installing the filter inthe air cleaner.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air cleaner that may include amain body portion or body, and a cylindrical case having a suctionportion or inlet coupled to an outside of the main body portion, thesuction portion enabling air to be suctioned toward a filter member orfilter. The main body portion may include a cylindrical filter member orfilter, and a filter frame that forms a mounting space of the filtermember, so that air may be suctioned in 360-degree directions. If thecylindrical case is opened, the filter member may be extracted to theoutside in a radial direction from the mounting space, therebyfacilitating attachment/detachment of the filter member.

The air cleaner may further include a case supporting portion or supportprovided at a lower side of the cylindrical case. The case supportingportion may include a grill insertion portion into which a supportingprojection of the cylindrical case may be inserted, so that thecylindrical case may be stably supported.

The case supporting portion may include a suction grill having aplurality of suction holes, and the grill insertion portion may beformed between the plurality of suction holes, so that space utilizationof the air cleaner may be excellent. The supporting projection mayprotrude from an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical case,so that coupling of the supporting projection to the grill insertionportion may be easily performed.

The air cleaner may further include a magnet member or magnet providedto or at any one of the main body portion or the cylindrical case and ametal piece provided to or at the other of the main body portion or thecylindrical case. The metal piece may be separately coupled to themagnet member, so that coupling of the cylindrical case to the main bodyportion may be stably performed. The metal member or the metal piece maybe located at an upper part or portion of the cylindrical case.

The filter frame may include a lower frame provided at a lower part orportion of the filter member; an upper frame provided at an upper partor portion of the filter member; and a plurality of supporting framesthat extends toward the upper frame from the lower frame. An insertionportion for inserting or extracting the filter member may be formedbetween the plurality of supporting frames. The suction portion mayinclude a plurality of through holes. A size of a through hole formed ata lower part or portion of the suction portion among the plurality ofthrough holes may be formed larger than a size of a through hole formedat an upper part or portion of the suction portion among the pluralityof through holes.

The cylindrical case may be disposed or provided to surround the filtermember and the filter frame. The cylindrical case may include a firstcase and a second case. The air cleaner may further include a dividingplate disposed or provided between the first case and the second case.

A first filter member or filter and a first filter frame may be disposedor provided at an inside of the first case. A second filter member orfilter and a second filter frame may be disposed or provided at aninside of the second case. The air cleaner may further include a firstfan disposed or provided at an exit side of the first filter member anda second fan disposed or provided at an exit side of the second filtermember.

Embodiments disclosed herein further provide an air cleaner that mayinclude a main body portion or body having a filter member or filter,and a cylindrical case disposed or provided to surround the main bodyportion. The cylindrical case may have a suction portion or inletthrough which air may be suctioned in a radial direction toward the mainbody portion. The cylindrical case may be separably provided to the mainbody portion. If the cylindrical case is separated, the filter membermay be slidingly extracted to the outside in the radial direction.

As the suction portion may be formed along an outer circumferentialsurface of the cylindrical case, and air may be suctioned in the radialdirection through the suction portion, a suction capacity may beimproved, and a structural resistance of the case may not be generatedin an air suction process. In particular, a plurality of apertures maybe included on the suction portion and a suction flow path which isdirected to the inside portion of the air cleaner may be formed in360-degree directions relative to the air cleaner, as the plurality ofapertures may be formed evenly over an entire outer circumferentialsurface of the case. Finally, a suction area of air may be increased andair around a person in a room may be sufficiently suctioned whether aperson in a room is sitting down or standing up.

In addition, the suction portion may include a first suction portion orinlet provided to or at a first case, a third suction portion or inletprovided to or at a second case, and a second suction portion or inletprovided at a base, to be formed long in an axial direction from a lowerpart or portion to an upper part or portion of the case. Thus, based onthe air cleaner, air that exists at a lower part or portion of an indoorspace and air that exists at a relatively high position of the indoorspace may be suctioned into the air cleaner, thereby increasing asuction capacity of the air cleaner with respect to the indoor space.

Further, a second blowing device or blower may be disposed or providedat an upper side of a first blowing device or blower, a dividing platemay be provided between the first and second blowing devices, and airdischarged from the first blowing device may be guided to the outside inthe radial direction by the dividing plate. Thus, the air dischargedfrom the first blowing device may be prevented from being againintroduced into the second blowing device. In addition, a plurality ofblowing devices may be provided, so that a blowing capacity of the aircleaner may be improved.

Furthermore, a filter member or filter may be formed in a cylindricalshape, so that air may be introduced into the filter member in overalldirections at an outside of the filter member. Thus, a suction area ofthe air cleaner may be increased, and accordingly, an air cleaningability of the filter may be improved.

Also, the filter member may be slid in the radial direction toward afilter frame. Thus, the filter member may be easily assembled ordisassembled.

In addition, the filter member may be formed in a cylindrical shape, anda case may be formed in a shape surrounding the filter member. Thus, ifthe case is separated, the filter member may be exposed to the outside,so that a user may easily access the filter member.

The case and a main body portion or body of an air cleaning module maybe separably coupled to each other, so that the case may be easilymounted or separated. In particular, the case and the main body portionmay be coupled to each other by a magnetic force. For example, a magnetmay be provided to or at any one of the case or the main body portion,and a metal member coupled to the magnet may be provided to or at theother of the case or the main body portion.

According to the above-described configuration, during an operation ofthe air cleaner, the case may be prevented from being separated from themain body portion by a magnetic force. When the main body portion is tobe opened, the magnet and the metal member may be separated from eachother, so that the case may be easily separated.

In addition, the case may be stably supported by a suction grill. Inparticular, a supporting projection may be provided at a lower part orportion of the case, and a grill insertion portion having the supportingprojection inserted thereinto may be formed in the suction grill. Themagnet or the metal member may be provided at an upper part or portionof the case.

According to the above-described configuration, when the case is to beseparated from the main body portion, if a user releases the couplingbetween the magnet and the metal member and pulls the upper portion ofthe case, the upper portion of the case may be rotated about the lowerportion of the case supported by the suction grill. The user may finallylift the case upwardly, so that the case may be easily separated withoutmaking any effort.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description. Other features will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

Although some embodiments are described for illustrative purposes, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modificationsand changes can be made thereto within the scope without departing fromthe essential features of the disclosure.

Accordingly, the embodiments should be construed not to limit thetechnical spirit but to be provided for illustrative purposes so thatthose skilled in the art can fully understand the spirit.

Embodiments should not be limited to the aforementioned embodiments butdefined by appended claims. The technical spirit within the scopesubstantially identical with the scope will be considered to fall in thescope defined by the appended claims.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances ofsuch phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection withany embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of oneskilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. An air cleaner, comprising: a main body includinga cylindrical filter and a fan housing in which a fan is accommodated,the fan being provided at an outlet side of the cylindrical filter; acylindrical case surrounding the main body, the cylindrical caseincluding: a first part configured to cover a portion of acircumferential surface of the fan housing and the cylindrical filter; asecond part being configured to cover another portion of thecircumferential surface of the fan housing and the cylindrical filter;and a separation portion formed at side end portions of the first partand the second part to be at a position where the first part and thesecond part are assembled or disassembled; and a base placed on a groundand supporting a case support, the base being provided under thecylindrical case, wherein the case support supports lower portions ofthe first part and the second part, wherein when the first part and thesecond part cover the main body, the side ends of the first part and theside ends of the second part are disposed to face with each other at theseparation portion, when an upper portion of at least one of the firstpart or the second part is pulled out of the main body, at least one ofthe first part or the second part rotates so as to be separated from theseparation portion, and wherein the first part and the second parthaving a same shape are respectively rotated in an opposite direction toeach other with respect to the case support so as to be separated. 2.The air cleaner of the claim 1, wherein both of the first part and thesecond part rotate with respect to lower portions of the first part andthe second part and are separated from the separation portion when theupper portions of the first part and the second part are pulled out ofthe main body.
 3. The air cleaner of the claim 2, wherein thecylindrical case includes a support projection disposed at lowerportions of the first part and the second part, wherein the case supportincludes an insertion portion, and wherein the support projection isinserted into the insertion portion.
 4. The air cleaner of the claim 2,further comprising: a magnet provided in the main body; and a magnetcoupler provided at an inner surface of at least one of the first partor the second part, wherein the magnet coupler is separably coupled tothe magnet.
 5. The air cleaner of claim 3, wherein the supportprojection protrudes from an inner circumferential surface of the firstpart and the second part and is bent downward.
 6. The air cleaner ofclaim 5, wherein the support projection includes: a first projectionextension that extends in a radial direction from the innercircumferential surface of the first part and the second part; and asecond projection extension that extends downwardly from the firstprojection extension.
 7. The air cleaner of claim 6, wherein the secondprojection extension is inserted into the insertion portion and catcheswith the case support.
 8. The air cleaner of claim 3, wherein thesupport projection includes a plurality of support projections arrangedin a circumferential direction of the first part and the second part. 9.The air cleaner of claim 4, wherein the magnet coupler is provided at aninner circumferential surface of the first part and the second part, andwherein the magnet is provided at an outer circumferential surface ofthe main body.
 10. The air cleaner of claim 1, further comprising: aplurality of magnet couplers arranged in a circumferential direction ofthe cylindrical case so as to be spaced apart from each other; and aplurality of magnets arranged in a circumferential direction of the mainbody so as to be spaced apart from each other.
 11. The air cleaner ofclaim 9, wherein the coupling between the magnet coupler and the magnetis released when the upper portion of the case is pulled to an outsidein a radial direction.
 12. The air cleaner of claim 3, wherein thesupport projection is separated from the insertion portion when thecylindrical case is lifted upwardly so that the cylindrical case isseparated from the main body.
 13. The air cleaner of claim 12, whereinthe cylindrical filter is located at a position at which the cylindricalfilter is to be separated from the main body when the cylindrical caseis separated from the main body.
 14. The air cleaner of claim 13,further comprising a filter frame defining a mounting space of thefilter, wherein the cylindrical filter frame includes: a lower frameprovided at an upper portion of the case support; an upper frame spacedupwards from the lower frame; and a plurality of supporting frames thatconnects the upper frame with the lower frame, the plurality ofsupporting frames being arranged in a circumferential direction of thecylindrical filter, and wherein an extraction portion is defined betweentwo supporting frames among the plurality of supporting frames, to allowthe cylindrical filter to be extracted from the mounting space.
 15. Theair cleaner of claim 4, wherein the main body includes an air guidedisposed at an outlet side of the fan, the air guide including: acylindrical first guide wall; a cylindrical second guide wall providedin the first guide wall; and an air flow path formed between an innercircumferential surface of the first guide wall and an outercircumferential surface of the second guide wall, wherein the magnet isdisposed on the first guide wall.
 16. The air cleaner of claim 1,wherein the first part has a semi-cylindrical shape or semi-cone shape.17. The air cleaner of claim 1, wherein the second part has asemi-cylindrical shape or semi-cone shape.